Seamus Hammond
Making perfume at home is a great way to create a unique fragrance without the hefty price tag. The practice of making perfumes dates back to ancient times, with the Mesopotamians using incense around 4000 years ago, and the ancient Egyptians using fragrant resins in religious ceremonies. Today, anyone can make their own perfume at home, and it's easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create your own signature scent or even replicate your favourite designer fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base Notes | Benzion, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Myrrh, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Violet, Ylang Ylang |
| Middle Notes | Coriander, Palmarosa, Marjoram, Basil, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Pettitgrain, Lavender |
| Top Notes | Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Bergamot, Spearmint, Peppermint |
| Carrier | Jojoba, Alcohol |
| Additives | Glycerine, Distilled/Spring Water, Alcohol, Vodka |
| Bottles | Preferably coloured glass, reusable, or new from the dollar store |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a base, middle, and top note
Top, middle, and base notes are the building blocks of a perfume, forming the foundation of every fragrance and influencing how it unfolds and interacts with your skin. These notes are categorised based on their evaporation rate, creating a multi-dimensional scent journey.
Top notes are the first impression of a fragrance, mainly composed of fresh, fruity, green, and
Middle notes, also known as heart notes, emerge after the top notes fade. They form the heart of the fragrance and provide balance between the fresh top notes and the rich base notes. These notes are usually warm, floral, or herbal, and can also be spicy or fruity. They are the most complex and create a lasting impression, with their presence lasting for up to an hour or two.
Base notes are the anchors of the fragrance, providing depth, richness, and lasting power. They are deep, warm, and musky, and can also be woody, balsamic, or spicy. These notes are the least volatile, evaporating the slowest, and their scent can last for several hours or even days.
When choosing your notes, it is important to consider your personal scent preferences and ensure harmony between the top, middle, and base notes. This will create a well-rounded fragrance that unfolds beautifully throughout the day. Additionally, natural perfumes made with essential oils may be preferable to fragrance oils as they offer a more authentic and nuanced aroma.
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Using essential oils
Making perfume at home with essential oils is a great way to create a unique fragrance. It can be a challenging process, but the result is a delightful, well-rounded scent.
Firstly, you will need to choose your essential oils. These are the purest form of fragrance, and they smell the best. You can use a combination of citrus, woody and spicy essential oils to create a rounded scent. For example, you could use lavender, which is known for its soothing and calming properties. Other essential oils to consider are benzion, carrot seed, cedarwood, jasmine, myrrh, patchouli, and vanilla.
Next, you need to decide on the notes of your perfume. These are the different layers of scent that will be detected over time. The top note is the initial scent, which disappears quickly, and includes fragrances such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit. The middle note appears next, and this can be coriander, palmarosa, basil, or rosemary. The base note is the final layer, and these rich and heavy scents linger the longest. Examples of base notes are patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla.
When mixing your perfume, start by adding your base notes, then the middle notes, and finally, the top notes. You can also add a few drops of glycerine to help preserve the fragrance. For an alcohol-based perfume, use a 10ml atomizer bottle and fill it with 40 drops of essential oil, 140 drops of alcohol, and 20 drops of distilled water. If you are making a spray, add more water.
Finally, pour your perfume into your chosen bottle, and cover it with foil if it is a clear container to protect it from the light.
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Adding alcohol
Alcohol is a crucial component of perfume-making, as it acts as a preservative and helps to blend the various ingredients together. The type and amount of alcohol used can vary depending on the desired strength and longevity of the perfume.
For a simple at-home perfume, you can use vodka as your alcohol base. Vodka is easily accessible and affordable, and it works well as a carrier for essential oils. To make an effective perfume with vodka, combine it with your chosen essential oils, such as lavender, citrus, or woody scents. You can also add a few drops of glycerine to help preserve the fragrance and enhance its longevity.
If you want a more potent and long-lasting perfume, you can opt for a higher-proof alcohol like Everclear or 190-proof grain alcohol. These types of alcohol are more expensive and challenging to obtain, but they create a more intense fragrance. For a 10ml atomizer bottle, you would typically use 140 drops of alcohol, which is about 7ml.
It's important to note that the ratio of alcohol to other ingredients can be adjusted to suit your preferences. The standard ratio for an alcohol-based perfume is 70% alcohol, 20% essential oils, and 10% distilled water. However, you can experiment with different proportions to achieve your desired scent strength and longevity.
When adding alcohol to your perfume, it's crucial to follow safety precautions. Always work in a well-ventilated area and avoid contact with the eyes and skin. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, as exposure to light and heat can cause the alcohol to evaporate, altering the fragrance over time.
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Blending and storing
Blending:
The first step in blending is to understand the different notes of a perfume. A perfume's fragrance is typically divided into three notes: the top note, middle note, and base note. The top note is the initial scent that disappears quickly and includes fragrances like lemon, orange, grapefruit, and mint. The middle note appears after the top note and comprises scents like coriander, palmarosa, basil, and lavender. The base note is the foundation of the perfume and includes fragrances like patchouli, cedarwood, and sandalwood. When mixing your perfume, start by adding the base notes, followed by the middle notes, and finally, the top notes.
It is also important to consider the different families of scents when blending. Scents can be classified into families such as floral, oriental, woody, and fresh. Creating harmony in your perfume can be achieved by mixing scents from neighbouring families. For example, if you choose a woody base note like cedarwood, you might want to choose a fresh middle note like basil or a floral middle note like lavender.
Once you have selected your desired notes and scents, it's time to blend them together. If you are using essential oils, it is recommended to use a carrier oil like jojoba oil or grape alcohol. Add your chosen essential oils to the carrier oil, following the ratio of 20% essential oils to 80% carrier oil. You can adjust this ratio to your preference, but using too much essential oil may irritate the skin.
Storing:
After blending, it is important to store your perfume correctly to preserve its fragrance. If you are using clear glass bottles, cover them with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light. You can also use coloured glass bottles to provide some protection from the light.
To further preserve your perfume, you can add a few drops of glycerine. This will help to extend the life of your fragrance. Another important factor to consider is the type of alcohol used. If you are making an alcohol-based perfume, it is recommended to use high-proof grain alcohol, such as 190-proof grain alcohol or Everclear. However, if you cannot access these, you can use vodka as a more easily accessible alternative.
Finally, allow your perfume to sit and mature. The longer you leave it, the stronger it will become. You can leave it for at least 48 hours, but feel free to leave it for longer if you want a more potent fragrance. After you are satisfied with the strength, add bottled water to dilute the perfume to your desired concentration.
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Using fragrance oils
Making perfume at home with fragrance oils is a fun and simple process. It allows you to create a unique scent, and it's much cheaper than buying brand-name perfumes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own perfume using fragrance oils:
Step 1: Choose Your Fragrance Oils
Select three fragrance oils to serve as your base, heart, and head notes. The base note is the scent that lingers the longest, the heart note is the dominant fragrance, and the head note is the scent that is perceived first. You can experiment with different oils to find a combination that appeals to you. Popular fragrance oils include citrus, woody, spicy, and floral notes.
Step 2: Prepare Your Work Area and Materials
Clear and clean your workspace. Ensure that your bottles, droppers, and pipettes are sterile and clean. You can sterilize glass bottles in the dishwasher, especially if you are reusing them.
Step 3: Combine the Fragrance Oils
Using a pipette, carefully add the oils to your bottle, counting out the drops for precision. A typical combination is 20 drops of the base note, 10 drops of the heart note, and 10 drops of the head note. Close the lid and gently shake the bottle to mix the oils.
Step 4: Age Your Fragrance
Place the bottle in a cool, dark location for at least 48 hours up to a month. This ageing process allows the scents to mingle and intensify. After ageing, smell your fragrance and adjust by adding a few more drops of scent if needed. Remember to age it again if you make any adjustments.
Step 5: Dilute Your Fragrance (Optional)
If you're happy with your fragrance, you can dilute it by adding 2 tablespoons of distilled or spring water. Adding more water is recommended if you plan to make a perfume spray. You can also add approximately 5 drops of glycerine to help preserve your fragrance.
Step 6: Bottle Your Perfume
Pour your fragrance into a clean bottle, preferably coloured glass, using a funnel if needed. If using clear bottles, cover them with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light.
Step 7: Label Your Creation
Label your perfume with masking tape or any creative method you prefer. You can also decorate your bottle to make it unique and gift-worthy.
Tips and Tricks:
- Fragrance oils can contain synthetics but are usually pre-diluted in a carrier oil, making them less irritating to the skin.
- When choosing essential oils, be mindful of health advisories, as not all oils are safe for skin contact.
- You can find affordable fragrance oils at Brambleberry or craft stores.
- If you prefer an alcohol base for your perfume, use perfumer's alcohol, not just any type of alcohol.
- Always measure and record the number of drops or teaspoons of each oil you use to recreate your favourite blends.
Have fun creating your signature scent!
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